Idaho authorities have denied applications for custom license plates for hundreds of drivers this year, citing content restrictions that prohibit a wide range of expressions. More than 600 requests were rejected, raising questions about the limits of government regulation on personal expression.
While Idaho permits vanity plates, the state maintains strict guidelines prohibiting certain types of language. These restrictions ban profanity, sexual innuendo, references to bodily functions, drug use, violence, and offensive content. Drivers who attempted to use their plates to express political views, make social commentary, or use creative acronyms also faced denials.
The Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles reviews each application through a two-stage process, first by technical staff and then by supervisors. Those whose requests are denied have the option to submit up to three alternative designs or request a formal hearing.
This crackdown comes as the state continues to enforce its policies prohibiting personalized plates that include offensive language, sexual references, or political statements. The scale of denials suggests these restrictions are having a significant impact on residents’ ability to customize their vehicles.
The examples of rejected plates reveal the breadth of Idaho’s restrictions. Applications were denied for plates containing profanity, references to bodily functions, sexual content, drug references, violent themes, and offensive imagery. Some of the rejected examples included:
- “1DA H0E” and “N0TDAH0” – denied for containing profanity
- “B00BIEZ” and “2INCHPP” – rejected for referencing intimate body parts
- “0PIATE” and “42020” – denied for drug references
- “F B G M” and “IDJ1TS” – rejected for being insulting or hostile
- “FIGHTME” and “CRDKLR” – denied for referencing violence
The situation highlights the tension between government regulation of speech and individual freedom of expression. While Idaho allows some customization of license plates, the state appears to draw the line at content that might be considered offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive.
This crackdown reflects a broader trend across states to limit the types of messages that can be displayed on license plates. Advocates for more freedom argue that vanity plates should be allowed as long as they don’t threaten public safety, while officials maintain that certain types of content undermine the purpose of standardized vehicle identification.
The Idaho DMV’s actions this year suggest that enforcement of these restrictions has become more rigorous. With over 600 denials, the state appears to be consistently applying these rules rather than selectively enforcing them.
The question remains whether these restrictions will be challenged in court or through legislative action. For now, Idaho drivers seeking to customize their vehicles must carefully consider the state’s rules before submitting their designs
